Smart Savings - CT Health Policy

CTNJ Opinion: Remember Public Health’s Value After COVID Is Gone

By Ellen Andrews | April 15, 2021 |

The COVID-19 pandemic has focused a bright light on the weakness of the U.S. public health system. Countries with strong public health systems fared much better in controlling the virus’ spread. America used to have a strong public health system. From 1900 to 2000, life expectancy rose by 30 years. Contrary to public opinion, it…

CTNJ Op-Ed – Drug Innovation Argument Cuts Both Ways

By Ellen Andrews | March 25, 2021 |

In his recent op-ed, John Burkhardt of Pfizer misses important points when he asserts that the governor’s proposed tax on excessive prescription drug price increases will harm innovation and jobs in Connecticut. He ignores that rising drug prices are making health insurance unaffordable. Overpriced drugs inhibit other innovation and job growth across Connecticut’s economy. He…

CT ranks 5th among states in Medicaid coverage, 2nd in quality

By Ellen Andrews | March 18, 2021 |

COVID has emphasized the importance of a strong, healthy Medicaid program for states. A new analysis by WalletHub ranks Connecticut fifth among states in 2021 Medicaid coverage. Rather than just using the percentage of state residents with Medicaid coverage, the ranking included quality, spending, as well as eligibility and enrollment. We ranked 2nd in quality…

State Partnership Plan losing money but still more expensive than average CT plan options

By Ellen Andrews | February 23, 2021 |

Download the report Connecticut’s most recent public health insurance option, the Partnership Plan 2.0, offers healthcare coverage to municipal employees. According to a new analysis by Brown & Brown Insurance, Partnership Plan premium increases have not kept up with costs. The very impressive analysis is based on Freedom of Information requests; very little information on…

Book Club — Counting: How We Use Numbers to Decide What Matters

By Ellen Andrews | February 14, 2021 |

I’ve never dog-eared as many pages in a book as Counting: How We Use Numbers to Decide What Matters by Deborah Stone. It’s very trendy to be “data-driven” and assert that “science matters” but what gets counted and how it’s defined make all the difference. Numbers and statistics are nice, but only if they represent…

Governor’s budget includes drug cost control and exchange subsidies, but misses other health priorities

By Ellen Andrews | February 10, 2021 |

Released today, the Governor’s budget proposal for the next two fiscal years acknowledges the importance of addressing critical health priorities, especially during a pandemic. The document highlights the state’s public health challenges of funding and implementing COVID testing, treatment, and vaccination all while facing a severe economic slowdown, high unemployment, and increased demand for social…

Connecticut Medicaid costs stable but rising physician and clinic spending threaten progress

By Ellen Andrews | January 20, 2021 |

Download the report Since switching from managed care organizations in 2012 to focus on care management, Connecticut Medicaid spending has stabilized while enrollment has expanded significantly, according to the state’s latest financial report. Medicaid now covers one in four state residents. However, physician and clinic spending increases are eroding early progress in controlling costs. Medicaid…

CTNJ: Analysis — Control Prices to Lower Health Insurance Premiums

By Ellen Andrews | January 15, 2021 |

Connecticut health insurance premiums are the sixth highest in the U.S. While our costs are rising less quickly than other states, that’s cold comfort to Connecticut’s households and employers. This isn’t a new problem and it has not been ignored. The simple fixes haven’t been enough. Read more

Unjustified price increases for seven drugs in 2019 cost US healthcare $1.2 billion, CT can remedy this

By Ellen Andrews | January 12, 2021 |

According to a report released today, in 2019 the US health system spent an extra $1.2 billion on price increases for seven drugs that were not supported by clinical evidence. Enbrel led this year’s list costing Americans $403 million extra for an 8.9% net price increase, after accounting for rebates. The Unsupported Price Increase report…